Earlier this week, appointed special counsel sent related documents and information regarding the broadband investigation to the Johnson County District Attorney’s Office. This information was received by the District Attorney’s Office on March 10, 2020. 

On Jan. 24, Mayor Steven Ellis appointed special counsel to deliver to the Johnson County District Attorney allegations of impropriety in the process to select a bid for broadband provider for the City of Spring Hill with the benefit of referring the matter to an independent office over which the City has no authority.  

Mayor Ellis gave a brief update on the investigation at the February 27, 2020 City Council meeting, indicating the investigation would soon be underway. This was based upon information received prior to the meeting by special counsel based upon a telephone conversation that special counsel had with the District Attorney. While there was a misinterpretation as to whether the DA’s office was reviewing or investigating, the intention was to notify the community that the District Attorney’s was now expecting to receive information from special counsel.  The City had no control over the means or manner of transmission, nor did it have control over the timeline of the transmission of documents from counsel to the District Attorney’s office.  This process was employed to offer as much assurance as possible that the City was not attempting to influence the flow of information to the District Attorney’s office.